Highlight

Rookies glad to get more work

It might be a tossup between who benefits more from Josh McDaniels’
decision to give a handful of veterans a day off: The older guys,
who could use the break, or the rookies who get to replace them.
The Broncos’ two fourth-round draft picks, safety David Bruton
and guard Seth Olsen, filled in extensively with the first-team units
Wednesday. Bruton replaced Brian Dawkins, who is nursing an injury,
while Olsen played left guard when Ben Hamilton moved to center
in place of Casey Wiegmann, who had the morning off.
“You get an up-close look at the first-team offense and see the
speed of that,” Bruton said. “Coming from Notre Dame, we saw good
competition. But you never saw the competition level and the speed
like at the pro level.” Lindsay H. Jones, The Denver Post

Lowlight

Officially a sore subject

Not disclosing information about injuries is a hallmark of “The Patriot Way.” It’s quickly become “The Bronco Way” as well. After saying he would be “very forthcoming” about the status of safety Brian Dawkins, who left the field midway through practice Tuesday afternoon, Broncos coach Josh McDaniels on Wednesday wouldn’t even address which area of Dawkins’ body was injured. All McDaniels would say is that whatever is ailing Dawkins is “not anything devastating.” Glad that’s clear. Lindsay H. Jones, The Denver Post

Quotable

“I wouldn’t blow the whistle.” — NFL referee Ed Hochuli, when asked what he would
have done differently in the Broncos’ controversial
“Fumblegate” win against San Diego last September

Broncos bio

NT Chris Baker

Even if Baker weren’t one of
the biggest guys on the Broncos’
80-man roster, it would be
impossible not to
spot him during
any training
camp practice.
He’s the one
who never stops
moving, shaking
his 329 pounds to whatever
music is playing over the
loudspeakers. Hip-hop, rock,
even country, Baker’s the guy
to watch. “I like that new
dance, ‘the stanky leg,’ and another
one, ‘the jerk,’ ” he said.
Baker, an undrafted rookie
who played at Hampton and at
Penn State, is hoping Denver’s
coaches notice more than just
his sweet moves as he tries to
climb the depth chart at nose
tackle. He is playing behind
Ronald Fields, Marcus Thomas
and Carlton Powell.
“I feel like I have a good
chance. I have to keep going
and doing what I’ve been doing – working hard and knowing
my place and using the preseason
games and practices to
show what I can do.” Lindsay H. Jones, The Denver Post

Camp facts

The Broncos practice Thursday at 11:15 a.m. at Dove Valley and 6 p.m. at Invesco Field at Mile High. Both are free and open to the public.

Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson had butterflies before Sunday's game against the Detroit Red Wings. It wasn't because of the big-name opponent, but rather his return from a 13-game injury absence and being stoked to rejoin a team in a playoff push and looking for its third postseason appearance in 10 years.